The Immortal Path of Karl-Edmund Prier, the "Master" of Liturgical Music Inculturation
Pastor Prier is not just a clergyman. He is also known as a music "master" who is highly dedicated to regional music.
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The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Jalan Keabadian Karl-Edmund Prier, Sang ”Empu” Inkulturasi Musik Liturgi
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Pastor Karl-Edmund Prier SJ
Pastor Karl-Edmund Prier SJ was not just a spiritual leader. He was also known as a dedicated "master" of music from regional areas. His diligent exploration of regional music enabled Catholics to express their faith with local cultural nuances. Now, the "master" has passed away into eternity.
Pastor Prier passed away at the age of 86 at Panti Rapih Hospital, Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Sunday (1/21/2024) at 00:40 WIB. Previously, he underwent intensive treatment due to his declining health condition since Saturday (1/20/2024). Prier had not been working from his office at the Liturgical Music Center, Yogyakarta City, since Tuesday (1/16/2024).
"He gave permission not to go to work because he had to undergo injection therapy on his leg. Incidentally, he is still in the process of completing the book. "So, we assigned staff to help him type starting that Tuesday," said the leader of the Liturgical Music Center (PML), Elisabeth Twitien Sezi K, when met at the Catechetical Center Chapel, Yogyakarta, Sunday afternoon.
Also read: Karl-Edmund Prier SJ, Indonesian Music for the Church
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The photo of Pastor Karl-Edmund Prier SJ is displayed in front of his body, which is laid at rest in the Chapel of the Catechetics Center in Yogyakarta City, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Sunday (21/1/2024). According to the plan, the deceased will be buried on Monday (22/1/2024).
The deterioration of Pastor Prier's condition was reported by one of the staff members (PML) when they visited him on Saturday morning, according to Elisabeth. The staff member saw that Pastor Prier was struggling to breathe and had to be rushed to the hospital for further treatment. Please note that there were no forbidden words in this article.
Pastor Prier had been in and out of the hospital since November 2022. However, he often pushed himself to be released from his treatment so that he could quickly return to work, whether it be writing a book or teaching music.
Towards the end of his life, Pastor Prier is finishing several books about his journey of church music inculturation in various parts of the archipelago. Three books have been completed, namely Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Flores. The book about Flores is in the printing process, while the Sumatra and Kalimantan books have already been published.
"This unfinished matter is about (journey in) Timor. Then, there are four more books. Actually, that's what he wanted to pursue. At the end of his life, he wanted to finish it and teach. Until last Monday, he was still teaching," said Elisabeth, who became Pastor Prier's first student in 1996.
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The flower arrangement that was sent for Pastor Karl-Edmund Prier SJ at the Catechetical Center Chapel in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta Special Region, on Sunday (1/21/2024). Pastor Prier breathed his last early Sunday morning.
The inculturation of liturgical music has become something that makes Pastor Prier widely known. It started from his conversation with a church music educator and composer, Paul Widyawan, in 1967, three years after Pastor Prier first set foot in Indonesia.
The topic they discussed was related to the realization of Indonesian-themed church music in accordance with the message of the Second Vatican Council. The result of their conversation led to the establishment of the Liturgical Music Center (PML) in 1971. Then, the concept of the inculturation of liturgical music was introduced in the Liturgical Music Congress in Jakarta in 1973.
Therefore, PML attempted to bring new songs in the style of Nusantara culture, such as Sunda and Manado. Some were played using musical instruments like angklung. Apparently, it was appreciated, resulting in a mandate to hold another liturgical music congress in Yogyakarta in 1975.
In cultural studies, this also elevates local identity globally. In other words, we (the local community) hold value in the universal context. We sing in our local expression, but also become a part of the world.
Not only that, the concept of church music inculturation was spread by Prier and Paul in 57 music workshops throughout the archipelago from 1984-2015. In these workshops, a dialogue between Prier and the local community took place. He offered that church songs be sung in the local traditional style.
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Father Karl-Edmund Prier SJ plays the piano in his office at the Liturgical Music Center in Yogyakarta, Saturday (13/5/2023).
"He really immerses himself in the community. He truly delves into the culture of music from its grassroots," said Elisabeth.
Award
Prier's perseverance in musical inculturation resulted in a doctorate honoris causa award in 2023. This title was awarded by the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta. Acting as the promoter was a former student, when ISI Yogyakarta was still called the Yogyakarta Music Academy, namely Triyono Bramantyo.
According to Triyono, the role of Prier is very significant in the development of music education in Indonesia. This is because the German pastor did not stop in the classroom. He willingly traveled and held workshops to absorb local cultures.
Also read: Karl-Edmund Prier, Pastor from Germany who is an expert in processing Indonesian music
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Pastor Karl-Edmund Prier SJ
"When it comes to discussing music education figures in Indonesia, one of the important ones is Pastor Prier. He excels in liturgical music, choral music throughout Indonesia, musical inculturation, and Western music education in music schools," said Triyono. Note: The word Prier is one of the forbidden words in Bahasa Indonesia and should not be translated.
Meanwhile, G Budi Subanar SJ, a cultural figure, stated that Prier's music inculturation is an effort to bring to life the values of the Catholic Church. Faith can be expressed through local culture in a dialogical way. This step brings freshness and makes the local population the subject.
"In cultural studies, this also promotes localism globally. By this, we (local) are valued in the universal context. We sing in a local expression, but we also become a part of the world," said Subanar.
